Where to Get SIM Cards and Pocket WiFi if You’re Already in Tokyo

Are you already in Tokyo and still looking for a way to get connected? It doesn’t take long to realize just how important having reliable Internet is for foreign visitors in Japan’s busiest city, from essential travel apps to staying in touch with friends. The easiest way to stay connected during your trip is to carry a reliable WiFi or 4G signal with you, but where can you get one? Keep reading to learn more about your options and how to get your hands on a Tokyo SIM card or Pocket WiFi!

Tokyo SIM Card Options

Fortunately, Tokyo has many SIM card options for foreign visitors. Whether you want to pick one up in person or book one online while connected through a free WiFi hotspot, here are 4 places in Tokyo to find what you need.

1. Electronics Retailers

If you happen to be in any number of Tokyo’s major tourist spots—Akihabara, Shibuya, Ueno, and Shinjuku (just to name a few)—one option for getting a SIM card is to walk into one of the city’s famous electronic retailers like Yodobashi or BIC Camera.

Pros

Cons

Variety of brands

Cost and time of travel

Variety of data plans

Additional fees for support

Tech support available

English staff is limited

Compatibility test available

The comparison below shows the three major electronics retailer locations in Shinjuku.

Initial Setup Cost

English Support

Setup Test

After-Sales Service

Data Amount

Price (30-Day Trip)*

BIC Camera: Shinjuku West Main Store

¥780; BIC SIM only

Interpretation services by third party

1 type only

No

2 GB

¥4,082

Yamada Denki LABI: Shinjuku West Store

Depends on range of services

Varies by hour

1 type only

No

Maximum 100 MB / Day

¥3,780

Yodobashi Camera: Shinjuku West Main Store

¥1,500

During scheduled hours

Unavailable

No

Maximum 100 MB / Day

¥3,780

* Taxes excluded

2. Convenience Stores

If there’s one country in the running for having convenience stores that truly live up to their name, it’s Japan; and it happens that these stores, locally known as “conbini,” may also stock SIM cards for purchase. Notably, Lawson and NewDays (the latter managed by the JR Yamanote Line) are both reported to have SIM cards on their shelves in Tokyo’s tourist areas.

Pros

Cons

Convenience (open 24 hours)

No tech support

Easy to find

Few choices

Below is a comparison of SIM cards available at Lawson and NewDays.

Initial Setup Costs

English Support

Setup Test

After-Sales Service

Data Amount

Price (15-Day Trip)*

LAWSON

No

No

Unavailable

No

30 MB / Day

¥4,094

NewDays (Managed by JR Yamanote Line)

No

No

Unavailable

No

1 GB (fixed data amount)

¥3,000

* Taxes excluded

3. International Tourist Counters

It’s possible to buy a SIM card at tourist counters, including international airports—Narita and Haneda—and some hotels located within popular sightseeing areas.

4. Online Retailers

Photo by Useful Tips Japan

Just because you’re already in Tokyo doesn’t mean that you can’t get your SIM card from a reputable online retailer. As long as you can find a WiFi hotspot at a café, your hotel, convenience stores, or a train station, you can order what you need for more reliable long-term use.

Pros

Cons

Variety of brands

1-2 days for shipping

Variety of data plans

Need WiFi to order

No travel cost or time

Delivered to your location of choice

English support

Tech support by phone or e-mail

Below is a comparison of two leading competitors of online SIM card rentals.

Tokyo Pocket WiFi Options

SIM cards are not always the best option when traveling in Tokyo—locked smartphones, family trips, and packing multiple devices are just some of the reasons. While there are less options available in Tokyo for picking up a Pocket WiFi router than a SIM card, below are the easiest ways for getting what you need.

1. International Tourist Counters

There are a few online Pocket WiFi providers that also have an office or store location located in one of Tokyo’s popular tourist areas, as well as in Tokyo’s international airports—Narita and Haneda. While the majority of their Pocket WiFi rentals are mailed out to the customer, it’s also possible to pick up a Pocket WiFi in person.

Pros

Cons

English support

Limited hours

Few choices

Cost and time of travel

Below is a comparison of several leading Pocket WiFi providers that offer pickups at a counter location.

Price (7-Day Trip)*

Business Hours

Network

Data Speed

Coverage

Ninja WiFi: Shinjuku Counter

¥6,300-

10:00-18:00 weekdays

Softbank

Good

Good

WiFi-Hire.com: Shinjuku Counter

¥6,600-

10:00-18:00 weekdays

au

Good

Good

Y!mobile: Shinjuku West Store

¥4,760-

10:00-20:00

EMOBILE

Average

Average

* Handling fee included; taxes excluded

2. Online Rental Providers

If you’re already in Tokyo and realize you need a Pocket WiFi—and can wait a day or two in exchange for a better deal—head over to a nearby local café, train station or convenience store and see if you can locate a free WiFi hotspot. From there, you can easily book a Pocket WiFi online and have it shipped to wherever you’re staying in Tokyo for about the same price for shipping that you’d pay traveling around the city trying to find a tourist counter.

Pros

Cons

Variety of brands

1-3 days for shipping

Variety of data plans

Need WiFi to order

No travel cost or time

Orders processed during business hours

Delivered to your location of choice

English support

Tech support by phone or e-mail

Below is a comparison of several leading online Pocket WiFi providers.

Price (7-Day Trip)*

Business Hours

Network

Data Speed

Coverage

eConnect Japan

Starting at ¥7,002

1-3 Days

WIMAX

Good

Average

Ninja WiFi

Starting at ¥6,800

3 Days

Softbank

Good

Good

Sakura Mobile

Starting at ¥5,200

0-1 Day

Docomo

Good

Excellent

WiFi-Hire.com

Starting at ¥6,660

1-2 Days

au

Good

Good

Y!mobile (Anyfi)

Starting at ¥5,910

2-3 Days

EMOBILE

Good

Average

* Shipping fee included; taxes excluded

Which Tokyo SIM Card & Pocket WiFi Company Do We Recommend?

There is no shortage of options in Tokyo, whether you need a SIM card or Pocket WiFi. If you’re looking for affordable plans and the convenience of same-day pickup in Shinjuku or express shipping to your Tokyo address, look no further than Sakura Mobile:

Affordable prices Because there are no store overhead expenses, those savings are passed onto you.

English tech support Sakura Mobile provides full technical support in English for the whole duration of your rental period.

Express Shipping Same-day delivery is available if your order is placed before 2PM on business days (Monday–Friday). Orders placed after the cut-off time or on weekends/national holidays will be delivered the next day.

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About Nick Janssen

Nick has been calling Tokyo his home for about 3 years and enjoys finding new places around the city to take his active 3-year-old daughter. He also enjoys cooking, origami, traditional Japanese architecture, and Stephen King.

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